Windshield

To install a new windshield, you will have to use an adhesive service kit. The GM part No. is 9636067 or you can shop for an equivalent. You will also need: an alcohol base solvent; an adhesive dispensing gun GM part No. J24811 or equivalent; a commercial type of razor knife; a hot knife; black weatherstrip adhesive; two side support spacers; if the windshield has an embedded antenna, a butyl strip; lower support spacers; masking tape. The area in which you work must be at room temperature to ensure timely curing of adhesive.

Place protective coverings around the areas of the body around the glass.

Remove the trim moldings around the windshield. These are retained by wire clips. You can carefully pry these moldings out until the clip ends are visible. The ends can be pried away from retaining grooves in the body to free them and permit removal of the moldings.

Remove the windshield wiper arms as described in
Chassis Electrical
. If it looks like lower glass stops will interfere with removal of the windshield, remove them too.

If the vehicle has an embedded antenna, disconnect the wiring connector at the bottom center of the windshield.

With the razor knife, cut the adhesive material built up along the edge of the windshield all around. Run the knife right along the edge of the windshield to do this, cutting as close as possible.

Install the foam sealing strip to the new windshield, as follows:

Remove the backing paper from the sticky side of the strip.

Apply the strip to the windshield, using the original windshield as a guide. Check to make sure that the new strip will not obscure the view of the serial number mounted to the top of the dash.

Trim the strip as necessary with a sharp knife to remove excess.

Inspect all the retaining clips which fasten the moldings to the body. Clips must not be bent away from the body more than in. (1.6mm). If possible, bend the clips back into the proper configuration; otherwise, replace them.

Locate the lower support spacers for the glass as shown in the illustration. Then, carefully position the new glass on these spacers, resting on the original adhesive. See Step 15 for pointers on getting the glass safely into the right position. Check the relationship between the glass and adhesive mounting material on the pinchweld flange. Mark these areas so that later, when you apply additional adhesive, you can fill in any gaps and ensure proper mounting and sealing of the glass. Gaps must not exceed
1
/
8
in. (3mm).

Now, apply masking tape to both sides of the windshield with the inside edge on the glass and the outside edge on the adjacent body pillar. Then, slit the tape with the knife. (This will provide a guide for proper positioning of the windshield later).

If the vehicle has an imbedded antenna, mark the location of either end of the butyl strip, mark the location of either end of the strip with the masking tape. On vehicles with this type antenna only, after the glass is removed in the next step, replace the butyl strip originally used to fill the gap between the windshield and body in this area. It should be approximately 8 in. (203mm) long.

Now, remove the glass from the opening. Apply masking tape to the inside of the glass
1
/
4
in. (6mm) inboard from the edge of the glass, across the top and down both sides. This will make clean up easier. Make sure not to apply the tape farther in than this to keep it from being visible after installation.

Clean the glass around the edge of the inside surface by wiping it with a clean cloth dampened with the alcohol. Make sure the glass dries without application of heat before installation.

Apply the clear primer as follows, depending on the type of antenna used:

Normal antenna: Apply the primer around the entire periphery of the glass edge and
1
/
4
in. (6mm) inboard on the inner surface. Allow the primer to dry five minutes.

Embedded antenna: Apply the clear primer just as for the plain windshield; around the entire periphery of the glass edge and
1
/
4
in. (6mm) inboard on the inner surface. But, avoid getting any of the primer at all into the area marked by the tape. Allow the primer to dry five minutes.

Apply a smooth bead of adhesive material over the entire inside edge only of the glass where the primer was applied in the step above. Make sure the bead is continuous and smooth.

Make sure the front windows/windwings are open. Now, with a helper, carry the glass over to the vehicle. Put one hand on the inside of the glass and one on the outside. Tilt the glass until it is horizontal. One person at a time can hold one hand to support the inside of the glass while reaching around the body pillar to grab the glass with the other. Once the glass is held with both hands (one inside the pillar and the other outside), tilt the glass into position, position the glass on the lower supports and, using the tape markers made above, line the glass up in the right position and then drop it straight into place.

Press the glass down firmly to squeeze the adhesive material slightly. Avoid too much squeeze-out, as this will cause an ugly appearance. Paddle on additional adhesive, if necessary, to ensure a full and effective seal, utilizing marks made in Step 8 and inspecting for any other areas of poor seal, as well. If the vehicle has an embedded antenna, one place additional material must be applied is at the edges of the butyl sealing strip.

Water test the windshield with a gentle spray from a garden hose. A hard spray will disturb adhesive. Use warm water, if you can (it finds leaks more readily). Paddle extra adhesive in to seal any areas that leak and then retest the area.

Once all leaks have been stopped, cement a rubber spacer between both the right and left sides of the windshield and the body metal to retain the windshield tightly in its present position as the adhesive cures.

Install the moldings. Remove clean-up masking tape from the inner surface of the glass and install/connect any remaining parts. Make sure the vehicle sits for six hours at room temperature before moving it so that the adhesive is properly cured.